Holiday Self Care Tips

Introduction

The end of the year is a time to celebrate with your loved ones. But it is also a time to set intentions for the year ahead. It's so easy to be overwhelmed by loads of tasks and busy schedules, but it is important to block time for yourself as well.

How do you reflect on this year and get ready for the new year while managing everything else? This may sound counterintuitive but slowing down and being clear about yourself is the fastest way to get things done and achieve what you want.

We all do a lot of activities every day, and sure you do too. But how many of them do you intentionally do? Are they really important?

Let's find out how you can be much more efficient.

Protect time for yourself

It can be a little challenging during the holidays because there are so many things to do, but you must carve out some time for yourself. The best way to do this is to schedule it in your calendar and make it a priority. You also need to be intentional to have rest. It doesn't mean sleeping but making your mind quiet to focus on just one thing. If you have a particular problem to solve, you can think about the solution. But keep asking yourself what is important to you, what you need the most, and what "happiness" means to you.

Have you ever noticed that you cannot fully enjoy your time at a party or chatting with friends? You are constantly thinking about something else in your head. Well, when you have dedicated time for yourself, you will be able to give your full attention to your loved ones. You will feel easier to be present and enjoy each moment. So, your own time, even just 1 minute, is a must to create quality in your life.

Reflect on the year that just passed

By taking time to honestly review what you did and the result you got, you can appreciate what you learned and how far you have come. You will see clearly what worked and what didn't. This makes you come up with better plans for the new year with confidence and gratitude.

Usually, writing down your thoughts and findings on paper is the best way to clear your mind. Study after study shows you will remember things better when you write them down. Therefore, the odds of getting what you want to increase dramatically. 

Set clear goals and intentions for the future

Creating goals around your intentions requires you to think deeply about what is truly important to you.

What does being successful mean for you? Does it matter how others recognize your efforts toward producing the outcome? Be clear about the difference between standing in your truth and fitting into others' expectations. 

How much time do you spend understanding yourself compared to looking at other people? When you look into a mirror, do you focus on your well-being or how other people will look and think about you? Let's focus on the important things that align with what you want.

You don't need a full day or an hour. You can block out noises and distractions anytime during the day to focus on your inner self. For example, you can think about what you should do to improve your physical health while washing dishes or having a shower. If you could sit in a chair in a quiet environment, that's great. But it is not necessary. 

Along your journey, you will find a lot of excuses. What holds you back from taking action and the desired outcome? Are you focusing on what you can gain or what you could lose? Is it still worth doing it, or will you regret it if you did it?

Don't let another day, week, or month pass without noticing it. Make every moment worth it, it's up to you. 

Be honest with yourself

As you plan your new year, make it a point, to be honest with yourself about what you want and need. Be honest about who you are. And be honest about your limitations. This might sound harsh, but the first step towards self-care is accepting that our needs may not always be met by everyone around us (or even by ourselves). Instead of putting on a smile and pretending everything's fine, try speaking up for what matters most to you—even if it means making sacrifices along the way.

Self-reflection

Reflecting on yourself is critical to know who you are and where you're going in life. The holidays are a great time to take time out of your busy schedule to reflect on the past year, what your goals were and how they were accomplished (or not). What can you do better this coming year? What were some of your greatest accomplishments? Also, think about what aspects of your life had problems or setbacks this past year, and how can those issues be addressed better next time around

Plan for mental and physical strength

• Listen to your body.
• Be realistic and don't overwork yourself
• Take breaks when you need them, but make sure they're breaks with purpose: you can use the time away from working/cleaning/cooking as an opportunity for self-care, such as meditation or reading a book in a quiet place (and if there are other people around, use that time for some light conversation).
• Ask for help if it's necessary

Focus on only a few priorities

When you're trying to maintain your sanity, it's important to focus on only a few priorities.

What is most important to you? Your health? Your relationships? Your career? The environment? Remember, the health of your body is directly connected to all other areas. Without a well-functioning body, it is hard to think positively and focus. 

If something comes up that doesn't fit into one of these categories, consider whether it's worth your time and energy before giving it more attention than necessary.

Don't be afraid to say no. It's okay if others don't understand; try not to let other people distract you from what's important (you!).

  
Be ready to give and take feedback

If you're ready to take on the role of mentor, or if you're a parent, be sure that you have a solid understanding of what makes this kind of coaching effectively. Being prepared with questions and prompts will help ensure that you are in the right mindset for giving positive, constructive feedback.

Don't forget about your own needs. Be sure to look after yourself during the holidays so that you can continue helping those around you when it matters most.

Celebrate both wins and losses

There is nothing wrong with celebrating what you learned from mistakes. Acknowledging what didn't work well is key to improving in the next cycle. Life is not only about excitement and wins, but both good and bad. 

When you win something with your effort, it's important to celebrate this success. When you lose something, it's important to acknowledge that loss too.

Can we ignore the painful failures and losses? Brene Brown, a shame researcher, warns numbing pain or ignoring negative feelings will numb positive feelings such as love, gratitude, joy, and hope. Allowing yourself to have negative feelings/experiences and openly sharing them with others will take off a heavy weight from you.  

What was the big loss in your life? How did it feel when it happened? Do you have any regrets about how things played out? What did I learn from this experience? How can I apply what I learned next time around? 

Visualize yourself living your goals daily so that you can create the mindset for success and make them a reality. When we "see" ourselves as successful, happy, and healthy, we are more likely to make it happen.

Reminder

We hope you have found some inspiration on how to reconnect with your true self in the new year. 

Most of us in developed countries have basic needs such as water, food, house, etc. These are now normal to have. But let's not forget our life depends on them and we cannot ignore our responsibility to conserve these. We hope you keep this in your mind when you think about what is important to you.